VHI Ladies Football All-Ireland Junior Quarter final Maynooth 3-8 John Mitchells 1-4 As All-Ireland quarter finals go, this was something of a novel pairing. Kildare and Leinster champions Maynooth taking on British champions John Mitchells from Liverpool in Greenbank Park, Liverpool. Set in a leafy suburb of Liverpool's Albert Dock and played in conditions that were ideal for football the home side were certainly were not going to be contented with making up the numbers. All bar one of the starting fifteen from John Mitchells are Irish players living and working on Merseyside with Lyn Body, wearing number 15 the only player from Liverpool. The game started lively enough, with Maynooth building a four-man move from the throw in only to see Hazel Mulligan's shot taper off to the right and wide. The home side demonstrated their ability to pass and move over the next few minutes with Naomi Hagan and Lyn Body putting them two points to no score ahead after five minutes. The early exchanges of this game showed that Mitchells had their homework done with the Maynooth danger players coming in for some tight marking. Simone Gilabert stole a half-yard on seven minutes but was pulled back for a free, which she tapped over to open Maynooth's account. And a minute later the sides were level when Hazel Mulligan scored their second point, again from a free following a foul on Roisin Murray by Helen McIlroy. Maynooth midfield pairing of Siobhan McCourt and Fiona Bradley were settling into their midfield battle diligently at this stage and when the latter fielded a long kickout by the Mitchells keeper, she fed Simone Gilabert who knocked it over the bar to edge the visitors ahead three points to two with ten minutes gone. By this stage the niceties and introductions were well and truly over and the game was starting to settle into a nice rhythm. On the fifteen-minute mark the home side were awarded a very dubious penalty for reasons unknown to the large travelling contingent. Fiona McGee slotted the penalty barely past the full stretched Rachel Tallon, this was followed by a quick point by Shauna McGirr and put the exiles 1-3 to 0-4 ahead. At this point it has to be said that Tyrone referee, Sean McIntyre was keeping a tight hold of things and was doing a fussy but good job. He blew for a Maynooth free on the twenty one minute mark when Simone Gilabert was hauled back. She slotted over the resulting free to leave the minimum between the sides with twenty two minutes gone. A minute later, Maynooth captain and centre back Catriona Dolan picked out Fiona Bradley in acres of space and she fired a shot that looked to be travelling all the way over the bar, but dipped at the last second into the Mitchells net and saw Maynooth hit the front 1-4 to 1-3, a lead which they would never relinquish. An incident before half time between Catriona Dolan and a Mitchells half back saw both players sent to the sin bin. Following this was a period of sustained pressure from the home side who were pushing for the levelling scores heading into the break. But Maynooth showed all their dogged determination to hold them out and go into the break leading 1-5 to 1-3. Maynooth went into the break facing some stern words from their manager Anto Mooney. Without ever having hit the form that has seen them conquer all in their path this year, they still had their noses ahead. But all the signs were that the British champions would provide a stern test of their credentials in the half hour ahead. The second half started with more shadow boxing by both sides, with moves breaking down and tough tackles going in. Five minutes into the half, Maynooth were awarded a free just inside the opposing half. Hazel Mulligan spotted Simone Gilabert just inside the fort five with a lot of space in front of her. The quick free sent Simone galloping away to finish a classy goal to make it 2-6 to 1-3. Mitchells rallied and tried hard to force their way back into the contest, but over and over again they found a wall of black an white. Sinead Murray delivering display beyond her years at wing back for the Leinster champs, as did fellow defenders Catriona Dolan and Ash Farrell. Emer Connolly and Naomi Hagan swapped points after 18 minutes but by this stage the visitors were showing their class. Commanding most positions timing their tackles to perfection and showing discipline at all times. Whatever Anto Mooney said at half time had settled her side and they were well on their way when Gilabert fired over her fourth point of the day after twenty minutes and two minutes later took her tally to 2-4 when she hammered the final nail in the John Mitchells coffin wit ha goal to the top right hand corner following a fine solo run. Credit must go to the British champions for their sterling efforts and willingness to battle to the end. But a combination of the tough battles the majority of this Maynooth side have won from U/14 upwards and the scoring prowess and experience of Simone Gilabert, Hazel Mulligan and Emer Connolly stood them in good stead. They also showed signs that when the players who shone in previous games are having a tougher day at the office, there are plenty of others who are capable of taking on the mantle with Sinead Murray, Michelle Kearney and Sarah Quinn all turning in a fine shift to see Maynooth charge into an All-Ireland semi final clash with Munster champions Kilmihill (Clare) this weekend in Maynooth, final score Maynooth 3-8 John Mitchells 1-4. Note: A huge effort went into getting Maynooth to Liverpool for this game. With a lot of funds required to fund such a trip. Full credit must go to their players and countless people in the background who worked tirelessly to raise these funds. Tweet

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